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Everyone loves gift cards.
What’s not to love about “free money” to spend on your favorite treatment?
And for med spa owners, they’re a versatile marketing tool that makes strong business sense. Use them to attract new customers, keep loyal clients coming back, and even turn one-time visitors into lifelong fans.
The beauty of gift cards is that they work for any occasion. Christmas holidays, the bustling pre-summer holiday season, slower periods, you name it.
But gift cards need a marketing strategy to succeed. That’s why we’re serving up 10 gift card promotion ideas guaranteed to make your gift card sell like hotcakes!
The importance of promoting your gift cards
Gift cards are more than just a short-term revenue boost.
In fact, successful gift card programs set the stage for steady long-term financial growth, acting as incentives for both new and existing clients.
It’s no wonder then that the digital gift card market is already in the billions. It’s set to hit $583.34 billion in 2025 and by 2029, it’ll reach $1089.41 billion.
Let’s explore the benefits of gift cards and how strategic gift card campaigns will help your med spa stand out and boost your profits.
Increased revenue
Promoting gift cards is a win-win for your med spa.
When someone purchases a gift card, you get your revenue upfront. This is like a much-welcome cash injection to your bottom line.
Plus, clients often spend much more when redeeming gift cards.
For instance, recent research revealed that 61% of consumers spent more than the full value of their gift card, with an average of $31.75 extra.
For example, if the gift card value is $200, but one of your most popular services or treatments is $250, clients are likely to top up the difference.
Attracting new clients
People usually buy gift cards for their loved ones.
In this way, a gift card acts as an extended invitation to your med spa to your client’s friends and family, making them a powerful way to attract new clients.
After all, if someone gifts a gift card to a friend or family member, it shows they trust you. They’re basically saying: ‘Hey, I love this place, you’ll love it too!’
Plus, promoting your own gift cards on social media can drive potential customers to make a booking, especially if you call it something really enticing!
Customer loyalty
By offering gift cards, you make it easier for loyal clients to treat themselves or share the experience with others. Plus, gift card purchases encourage repeat visits, especially when clients have a little extra credit waiting to be redeemed.
For example, a client who receives a gift card for their birthday might use it to book their favorite treatment. They might also be intrigued to try something new while they’re at it.
Also, gift cards are a perfect gift to show appreciation to your loyal customer base for their continued support and repeat business.
Upselling opportunities
Gift cards also open the door to upselling opportunities.
When clients use gift cards, they’re already in a spending mindset, which makes it the perfect time to encourage them to explore additional products or services.
For example, if a client uses a gift card for a basic facial, you can recommend an add-on treatment, like a hydrating mask or LED therapy, that complements their service.
Gift cards also encourage clients to try more high-ticket, premium services they might not have considered otherwise.
10 promotion ideas to boost gift card sales at your med spa
Now that we’ve explored why gift cards are a must-have for your med spa, let’s dive into how to make them shine.
We’ve rounded up 10 creative gift card marketing ideas that will make your gift cards irresistible.
1. Bonus value deals
Everyone loves getting more for their money, which is why bonus value deals work so well.
Offering bonus value deals — like adding $10 worth of credit to their account when they buy a $100 gift card — encourages clients to spend more.
This creates excitement because clients feel like they have “free money” at their disposal, and it would be a waste not to redeem them.
And since they didn’t pay for the full value themselves, they’re more likely to top up the difference, even for higher-priced treatments.
2. Holiday-themed or seasonal promotions
Holidays and seasonal celebrations are prime opportunities for gift cards.
People will be looking for suitable gifts or last-minute ideas for their loved ones. Your gift cards are the perfect gift for an indulgent experience on these special occasions.
Think Valentine’s Day for romantic spa treatments, Mother’s Day for pampering moms, or the winter holidays for rejuvenation or stress relief packages.
Aligning your gift cards with these occasions allows you to tap into buyers looking for timely and thoughtful gifts.
3. Loyalty rewards
In addition to selling gift cards, you can incorporate them into your loyalty programs as a smart way to incentivize customers.
Rewards points that can be redeemed for gift cards encourage clients to return more often to earn and redeem rewards.
For example, offer a $50 gift card for every $500 spent on treatments or products.
4. Social media giveaways or contests
Running a gift card giveaway on social media is a fun, fool-proof way to get people excited about your med spa and potentially win a reward along the way.
Ask followers to like, share, or comment on your post for a chance to win a gift card.
Sweeten the deal by offering an attractive gift card reward, like a $100 gift card for a luxurious treatment or a package discount for high-demand services such as microneedling or chemical peels.
The increase in social media visibility you get from all the shares and follows will more than make up for the costs of the gift card reward.
💡Pro tip: When it comes to gift card promotions, e-gift cards or e-vouchers are the easiest option. You can quickly customize the design, treatment, and price in your med spa software… without hiring a designer or marketer.
5. Early bird specials
Early bird specials encourage customers to buy gift cards sooner rather than later, giving them the satisfaction of getting great value for their money.
If you run a seasonal gift card campaign, offer discounts or bonuses for those who purchase gift cards early in the holiday season, like $10 off a $100 gift card or a free skincare sample with every early purchase.
Early bird specials help you lock in sales before the holiday rush. They also give your clients the chance to secure their treatments ahead of time while also getting a great deal.
6. Collaborations with influencers
In today’s creator economy, no promotion can have a more far-reaching influence than influencer partnerships.
Collaborating with an influencer is a powerful way to reach a wider audience that has built trust and rapport with them. Source out local beauty, wellness or lifestyle influencers that could share their experience using one of your treatments and offer a discount code for gift card purchases.
Think you can’t afford an influencer? Think again! The influencer market has options for every budget. Nano and micro-influencers are often a cost-effective choice for small businesses and are a perfect fit for reaching a local or niche audience.
7. Referral programs
Thinking about implementing a referral program, but don’t want a complicated credit system?
Gift cards make a simple yet fantastic referral program reward, encouraging clients to spread the word about your med spa.
For example, offer a gift card for every successful referral, like $25 toward their next treatment when a friend books their first service.
Your clients feel appreciated for their recommendations, and you gain new customers through genuine word-of-mouth marketing.
8. Email marketing campaigns
Wondering how to let all your current customers know about your gift card promotion? That’s exactly what targeted email marketing campaigns are designed for!
Craft attention-grabbing emails that highlight why gift cards make the best gift, especially for last-minute shoppers and or those looking for an upcoming celebration present.
💡Pro tip: Use a med spa management software that allows you to personalize emails based on clients’ names, past purchases, or favorite treatments to make your gift card email campaigns more compelling.
9. Showcase your gift cards in a visually appealing way
Visual appeal matters — even for gift cards!
A beautifully designed gift card that reflects your med spa’s brand and luxury appeal can make all the difference in catching a buyer’s eye.
If you offer printed gift cards, display them prominently on your front desk so clients can easily see them at checkout.
You can also showcase well-designed e-gift cards prominently on your website and social media channels to grab attention and boost sales.
10. Limited-time offers
Nothing sparks action like a ticking clock. ⏰
Gift card promotions based on limited-time offers create urgency, motivating customers to buy gift cards right away instead of waiting.
For example, you could offer a 24-hour flash sale with a bonus of $15 added to every $100 gift card purchased. Or, create exclusive discounts during a specific time of year, such as during the typically slow period of early January.
You could sell a $100 gift card with $20 off their next treatment.
Tips for making your gift card more exciting
Gift cards are already incredibly versatile, but with little tweaks, they can have a tremendous impact on your bottom line and client loyalty.
Here are some simple yet effective tips to make your gift cards more exciting and appealing to buyers:
- Include gift vouchers in your online booking platforms where clients can easily find them
- Include gift cards as part of packages with a complementary treatment or skincare product for extra value
- Make it as easy and seamless for your clients (and for your team!) to redeem them with smart tools
- Use reusable gift card templates so you can create one in no time!
- Use software that enables you to track gift card purchases and usage for your med spa and individual clients
Bolster your med spa marketing efforts with Pabau
Gift cards are a fun and efficient way to enhance client loyalty, attract new customers, and grow your med spa. They’re also a savvy business move.
We’ve equipped you with winning gift card promotion ideas, now you just need to implement them. And this is where Pabau’s got your back.
Pabau is an all-in-one practice management software purpose designed for med spas with a full fledged marketing suite, including gift cards.
Our smart marketing features (which are built in at no extra cost) seamlessly integrate gift cards into your marketing efforts and client experience.
🎫 Super customizable: Change the color, price, services, and so on
🎫 Sellable online! Simply add them on your online booking portal
🎫 ‘Book now’ button added: Makes it easy for people to buy
🎫 Store on the client record: Easily track spending activity and balance
🎫 Easy to redeem: Clients can pay for treatments with a gift card at checkout
🎫 No need for a website. Don’t have a website built yet? No problem!
Ready to simplify your gift card management? Book a demo with our Pabau team today and see the difference!
